A/N: Okay, I know I didn't say I'd write any companions to Family Secrets. But I decided to anyways. If you havent read Family Secrets yet, you might want to. It will explain a lot of thing that are going to happen. This is a year or two before Family Secrets, and it has a totally different plot. No poems though, sorry.

Judith hit the ground. Hard. The breath was knocked from her lungs. She was covered in mud and bruises, but this was just the beginning. They weren't done yet. It was Monday morning, and already she was on the ground. She groaned. Would this never end?

"Get up!" Snarled the voice of Cadet Relone.

Judith winced, pulling herself shakily to her feet, and was met by another fist. She fell back again to gleeful laughter from Relone and the other cadets.

"Come on, Root!" Sneered Relone. "Fight back!"

Judith didn't answer. She knew there wasn't any point. If she even tried to fight back, the other cadets would be on her in a heartbeat. Not that she would. Or could. She was a scrawny girl, and they were seven bulked-up LEP cadets. It didn't take a genius to work it out.

The bell rang. Relone bent over her, giving her a cruel smile. "Tell anyone about this and you're dead." He hissed. He had repeated this again and again, every time he and his six faithful cadets decided to pick on her. Then he delivered one final kick to her side, and he and the others disappeared inside the high school.

Judith lay on the hard ground, the magic healing her various cuts and bruises. She was sick of those stupid flyboys! Most were the sons of Majors and Lieutenants of the LEP. Expect, of course, for Allen Relone. His father was Chairman of the LEP council. Cadet Relone claimed that his father would get him out of any trouble he was in. Something Judith had never cared to test.

"Alright, Judy?"

Judith was lifted onto her feet by her best and only friend, T.J. T.J.'s real name was Trouble Jackson Kelp Jr., but he hated the name. He insisted that it was far too gung-ho, and had resolved to change it to "Hunter" at his manhood ceremony.

T.J. looked her up and down, shaking his head. "Honestly, Judy. You've got to tell someone about these morons. I could talk to my dad for you. He could-"

"No!" Judith cried. "T.J., you promised!"

He sighed. "I know I did. But…Judy! These guys are just going to keep bullying you if you don't do something." He paused. "My dad's Commander, Jude. He can help."

Judith shook her head. "No, he cant. Chairman Relone's his superior."

T.J. snorted. "You don't know the chairman, Judy. Dad told me he's really fair. He'd never let his son get away with this. If he knew." He added scathingly.

Judith sighed. "I don't know…"

"Gods above!" T.J. pointed a finger at her. "You're a Root, Judy!"

Judith was taken aback. "What's that got to do with it?"

T.J. froze. He grinned nervously. "Er…I mean, your dad was tough, wasn't he? If he hadn't been a criminal, he'd probably be commander instead of my dad." He paused, then glanced at his moonometer. "D'Arvit! We're late! Come on!" He grabbed her arm and pulled her into the school.

They raced down the hallway, to their first period class; History. T.J. opened the door, and they slipped in quietly. Or they would have, if Judith hadn't slipped on the mud covering her shoes and fallen to the floor. She groaned. She was such a klutz!

The teacher, Professor Redwood, looked up sharply, giving them both a glowering look as T.J. helped her to her feet. "Root! Kelp! So nice of you to drop by. Detention for both of you. Now, take a seat."

Judith started towards her desk, but Professor Redwood stopped her.

"Root!"

She winced, turning to face him. "Yessir?"

"Why are you covered in mud?"

Judith thought about telling him the truth for a moment. Then her eyes met those of Allen Relone. "I…fell, Sir." She mumbled, lamely.

Professor Redwood gave her an agitated look. "Fell? You clumsy girl! Come here!"

Judith stepped forward glumly, and the Professor sprayed her up and down with a small spray bottle. The liquid dissolved the mud immediately, leaving her relatively dry. To many sniggers from the class, she slumped into her seat next to T.J., blushing furiously. She glanced up, and T.J. gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Don't worry about it." He muttered out of the corner of his mouth. "It's better than walking around covered in mud all day."

She shrugged, nodding.

He gave her a wink. "Cheer up! After our detention, we can visit my dad at the LEP. We can see about getting you an internship."

Judith smiled slightly. She was failing Science, and T.J. had promised he'd ask about making her an intern in Ops. It may not pay…at all. But anything was better then repeating a grade. Even facing Relone and the other cadets.

A/N: Okay, so what'd you think? Worth continuing? Not worth a second of my time? Let me know! As soon as I get three reviews, I'll start writing the next chapter. So review!